BYB vs. Professional

[CrazyCharlie]

So I am looking at bringing home another boxer in the next year or so (when we buy a house and I just randomly bring home a ball of wrinkles :D), but I want to make sure I dont get him from a BYB because as sweet and loving as the people were who I got Charlie from they were obviously BYB (which I didnt catch on at the time), but were trying really hard to do everything right, but were not really professional breeders. And I didn't really think about it when I went to get Charlie because well he was stinking adorable and he licked my toes and I was sold. haha.

I know there are some obvious signs of BYB but what about the smaller things that you wouldn't really notice? And how do you find a Professional breeder? Especially in a more Rural area like I live in (Glenwood Springs, CO)? I just want to make sure I do my homework before I bring home another dog because I really did luck out with Charlie, even though he has Arthrits early, he could have worse issues.

And adopting is always an option, but I want to be prepared either way.

 

[MyMayaGirl]

One of the big things to look for is that the breeder has thoughtfully matched up a male and female to produce the best offspring possible. They should take size, temperament, ect. in to account. Often, the best breeders don't own both the male and female who are being bred. A good breeder should be able to show you proof of health testing of both parents and should provide a good health guarantee. I have seen some breeders guarantee up to 5 years.

They should limit the numer of times they breed the female, as it is hard on their bodies and they have less nutirents to give their pups if they are bred over and over. Because of this, you may have to be willing to wait 6 months or even a year until the dogs are bred.

The puppies should be socialized around people early on. The breeder should be able to tell you everything about each puppy. I have talked to terrible "breeders" who couldn't even tell me how much the parents weighed or if the puppies were up to date on shots.

They should have tons of questions for you as they should want their puppies to go to the best homes possible. A good breeder will have you sign a contract agreeing to the care of the puppy, which can include spay/neuter requirements, obedience training, and a requirement that should you be unable to keep the dog at any point throughout its life you will return it to the breeder. They should be able to match the puppy to you - they should know their individual temperaments well enough to know which one would suit you best. That doesn't mean you can't pick your own, but it can help.

You can usually get a lot of leads on good breeders from breed clubs or at dog shows, competitions, etc.

 

[CrazyCharlie]

That is good to know, So breeders might have both male and female dogs but they do not breed them together?

 

[Caney Creek]

That is good to know, So breeders might have both male and female dogs but they do not breed them together?

Rarely. In GOOD breeding practices, when a breeder has a female that he/she wants to breed, the thing that they are striving for more than anything is to produce the best puppies possible. Even the best dogs are going to have minor faults (although you or I probably wouldn't be able to see them ) and a good breeder will choose a male that is the best possible match for the female, one that balances out the good and bad features. That "perfect match" could be in another state or even in another country, so producing the ideal litter might mean shipping frozen semen overseas, traveling with the female to where the male is located for breeding, etc.

Basically, it's rare that a breeder will find that "perfect match" in his or her own backyard. More often this type of breeding (breeding two dogs that live in the same house or on the same street) is done out of convenience, ie. BYB. For example "Hey you have a male and I have a female let's get them together." That's not how reputable breeders work!

*Sometimes* you will see reputable breeders who breed their own dogs together. But it doesn't happen often and should raise a possible red flag.

 

[CrazyCharlie]

Ah, Ok that makes more sense! Thanks!!

 

[Gilbert]

About how much should a "PROFESSIONAL" bred boxer cost?
I know i have found BYB boxers to cost from $100 to $500.

 

[CrazyCharlie]

Well I bought Charlie for $450.00 and my parents got Cash from a good breeder for $1600. Granted he is a GSD and Charlie is a Boxer, but it was quite the price difference.

 

[Caney Creek]

About how much should a "PROFESSIONAL" bred boxer cost?
I know i have found BYB boxers to cost from $100 to $500.

Upwards of $1000, with the exception of white puppies. White puppies are heavily discounted by reputable breeders because they cannot be shown or bred.

Puppy price alone is not necessarily an indication of a reputable breeder however. Plenty of BYBs sell their puppies for thousands each just because they know people will pay it, so don't automatically assume that a puppy that costs $2000 must be well bred. You still have to do your research on the breeder.

 

[ehayes21]

Puppy price alone is not necessarily an indication of a reputable breeder however. Plenty of BYBs sell their puppies for thousands each just because they know people will pay it, so don't automatically assume that a puppy that costs $2000 must be well bred. You still have to do your research on the breeder.

SO true. Many puppy mills and greeders sell pups for these prices - and the term "professional" breeder makes me think of these types of folks and the $$$ they rake in off uneducated buyers. It's pretty sad. Responsible, reputable breeders barely break even on the litters they produce.

 

[BoozerBaby]

I live in Canada so when we were ready to buy a Boxer we checked with registered breeders at the ckc aka in your case and went on web sites if they had one and really checked out their Boxers normally I believe I could be wrong but I believe that good breeders do have their dogs in SHOW and they have papers and certificates from where they won and what they have won.We saw both papers of the mother and the father also pictures of their winnings in show.Plus at the time we googled them and found them on the net.We will hopefully get another Boxer from the same breeder when we are ready.